The unlikely bid of James O’Connor for a Wallabies recall ahead of the British and Irish Lions series could be boosted by a Rugby Australia ruling the 34-year-old would not be counted as an overseas-based “Giteau Law” pick, given he is playing for the Crusaders in Super Rugby.
O’Connor has surged back into contention for selection in Joe Schmidt’s squad for the Lions tour in July, after displaying excellent form off the bench for the New Zealand side this season.
The 64-Test Wallaby left the Reds last year to take up a one-year deal with the Crusaders, the 12-time champions who missed the finals last year.
Playing off the bench, O’Connor has been winning praise in New Zealand for his calm and steady hand at the back end of games, and he was swamped by teammates after nailing a post-siren penalty goal on Friday to give the Crusaders a win over the Blues.
The form has seen O’Connor’s name being mentioned as a potential member of the Wallabies’ squad, with ex-Wallaby Morgan Turinui saying last week he was being considered by senior figures in the Australia set-up, and former teammate Drew Mitchell also calling for him to be considered.
O’Connor said at the start of the year he was keen to play against the Lions again (he was no.10 for the Wallabies in the 2013 series).
James O’Connor is swamped by Crusaders teammates after his winning kick.Credit: Getty Images
Another factor that could help O’Connor’s case is that RA is prepared to qualify him as a local player if selected, and not as one of the three overseas-based players available to Schmidt.
“We’ve got a pretty open mind around that and obviously experiencing the speed and the combativeness of Super Rugby is helpful when you’re playing in and around this environment,” RA chief executive Phil Waugh said recently. “It’s very similar, if not the same, as being in the Australian market.”
RA has for years been keen to introduce open borders for all players in Super Rugby Pacific, like the NRL. It hasn’t got far because the incorrigibly risk-averse New Zealand Rugby are sceptical of letting All Blacks play for Aussie franchises, but RA could lead the way by designating as O’Connor as a local player.
James O’Connor has been impressive off the bench for the Crusaders.Credit: Getty Images
It may prove a moot point. There are questions about whether Schmidt would need all three overseas picks anyway, and then there’s whether O’Connor is even a genuine option.
Schmidt won’t have missed the widespread admiration for O’Connor in New Zealand, where some have even asked when O’Connor would become eligible to play for the All Blacks.
O’Connor last played a Test for the Wallabies in San Juan in 2022, and the Dave Rennie-coached side lost with a then-record 67-27 scoreline.
Under World Rugby laws, players can declare themselves eligible to play for another country (for which they qualify) after an international stand down of three years. Jack Dempsey switched to Scotland under the same rule.
O’Connor running with the ball for the Wallabies in the second Test against the Lions in 2013. Credit: Getty Images
O’Connor could have been able to play for the All Blacks – through his Kiwi parents – in August but his stand-down clock re-set when he turned out for Australia A against Tonga and Portugal in 2023.
With the memory of O’Connor’s match-winning kick in Hong Kong in 2010, perhaps, former All Black halfback Justin Marshall said in commentary as the Aussie was lining up the kick to beat the Blues: “You almost wouldn’t want anybody else in the world taking this.”
It’s not far-fetched that O’Connor will be seriously considered by Schmidt. He plans to name 40 when they come together in late June, and as seen with Kurtley Beale’s selection last year, Schmidt sees value in some older, wiser heads in his squad environment.
O’Connor is clearly still in good condition and is versatile to play several positions off a bench, but crucially, he is also one of the few active players who’ve experienced the white-hot heat of a Lions series. In a camp where many of his rising playmakers are still inexperienced in Test rugby, O’Connor could prove beneficial.
The current trans-Tasman status of O’Connor might also suit a role in the Australia and New Zealand Invitational side to meet the Lions in Adelaide.
But if Schmidt has done his homework – and you know he has – he’ll know that goalkicking doubles in value in a Lions series proper.
In 30 Tests since 1989, the Lions have averaged 22.6 points a game and their hosts have averaged 23.9. In nine series, ten Tests have been decided by six points or fewer.
So it’s here that the stock of O’Connor – an 80 per cent goal kicker – really rises.
Having a proven, experienced goalkicker up your sleeve who can come off the bench, stand over a tough kick and nail it in the 80th minute would be tempting for a coach preparing to meet the Lions.
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